Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Real Estate Tips for Buying in Denver

(Source: Andrew Stratton)

Are you looking to put down roots with your own piece of Denver real estate? Maybe you've gotten married, had a baby, been promoted or got a raise- somehow your situation has changed and you know it's time to stop renting. Whatever the reason, you have decided its time to buy a home of your own. This is a big step and, whether it is your first home or you're fourth, it is always smart to be prepared, when starting the process. Here are a few things to consider, when purchasing a house that will help you avoid common pitfalls and surprises.

1. First things first, how much can you afford to pay? You have to be realistic here, especially, if you go with a variable rate loan. A low payment in one year can become too much to handle the next, if the rates go up. Understand how loans work when determining your budget and get pre-approved for one. You will know exactly how much money you have to work with, but it also locks in the rate for a short time.

2. Decide what exactly you are looking for in a Denver house. Square footage, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, ranch or two-story. These are just a few issues to help you narrow down your search. Search the internet for houses in your area; see what is out there and what you can get for your money. If you aren't willing to compromise on certain amenities, you may have to look at older homes instead of newer builds. The good thing is that you can usually get more for your money when buying older homes. The bad news is that the money you save may have to go back into the house for updating and fixing up. Are you prepared for the work?

3. Choose a good Denver real estate agent. Meet with him and discuss all important questions. Do you like him? Is he professional? Compatibility is very important, because you will be working so closely. You want to make sure he is going to work hard for you, no matter how much money you have to spend. Once you have chosen your agent, be clear about what you want. The last thing you want to do is spend the day looking at bi-level homes when you hate stairs.

4. Look, look and look some more. Take someone who knows you and can be supportive yet objective as you look at potential real estate. You don't have to look at 50 houses, but look at enough to feel good about your decision. Take a breather after finding the house and go back on a different day to view just that house. Houses tend to blur together when you look at so many on the same day. To help you remember the points you like, make notes about each house. That will also save time and remind you if it was a yes, no or maybe.

5. Once you have picked out your dream home in Denver, make an offer. Your agent can pull up comparison prices for sold homes in the neighborhood to let you know where the asking price falls. But, always make a lower offer than the list price. They may accept, but chances are they will make a counter-offer. If this sounds scary, your trusty real estate agent can talk to you through it and advise you on how to carry out negotiations.

6. After an agreement has been reached, your agent and your lender will help you set up a home inspection and an appraisal. If anything should come up during these, don't be afraid to ask for concessions from the seller. Anything involving the structural integrity of the building should be fixed prior to closing and your agent can help facilitate this with the sellers.

Buying a home can be intimidating, but it is also very exciting. If you follow these steps, the process will be less stressful. You should enjoy this time and look to the future instead of feeling overwhelmed and bogged down in paperwork. Set down your roots and enjoy!

Real Estate Tips For the Recession

(Source: Sean Mize)

This is a golden opportunity that definitely shouldn't be allowed to pass you by, but there are a few things you should watch out for.

1) First and foremost, when you're choosing a company to invest in it's essential that you choose one that's going to weather the storm of the recession and bounce back when the time comes. If you sink your savings into a company and it goes under as a result of the recession you're going to be no better off than you were before. To determine whether or not a company will survive to see a bright new future rather than being culled out when the recession separates the wheat from the chaff, answer the following questions:

• How long have they been in business? Companies that have been in business for many years are unlikely to go under because of a simple recession-in fact, they've likely weathered many of them in their time. A company that's already proven their staying power is an excellent choice of investment, and should definitely be given first consideration.

• What do they do? Although companies that specialize tend to be movers and shakers when the economy is normal, if they are unable to expand and "macro" themselves (a topic we'll talk about in greater detail in just a bit) to adjust to the changing economy they're going to go under. If a company has not been able to expand and diversify, and if it doesn't offer a product that people are guaranteed to need day after day and therefore are pretty much guaranteed to keep coming back for, it's at a high risk for going under during the recession and should be given a wide berth.

• Is their industry stable? Historically, there are certain industries that tend to fare better in a recession than others, and these should be given firm consideration when you're expanding your portfolio. Utility stocks (telephone, electric, gas), food and "escapes" such as cigarettes, alcohol and gambling have a history of tremendous success when it comes to riding out a recession because these are the industries that most consumers deem necessities and will continue pumping their money into.

• Is it a necessity? The industries listed above are stable choices during a recession because they are deemed to be necessities; however, if there is one industry that you can be sure is not going to go anywhere in the face of any kind of recession, it is the healthcare and pharmaceutical industry. Regardless of what the economy looks like, people are going to get sick and they're going to need their medication to recover. This is a strong, stable choice for your portfolio, and it's one that you can count on to bring in a steady, if not always remarkable, return.

• What about gold? Gold isn't going anywhere. If you're looking for a safe, solid and low risk investment during a recession period, gold is an excellent choice. There is very little chance that the value of gold is going to depreciate rapidly, and it's definitely not going anywhere.

• Successful investing isn't always just a matter of knowing what to invest in. Many times, it's also a matter of knowing what not to invest in. There are certain industries that often bring about good returns when the stock market is high, but who are extremely risky during times of recession. Can you guess which industries those are? Right. Any industry that specializes in luxury services is going to take a hit when conscientious investors start counting their pennies, and as a result so are their stockholders. Good industries to avoid include airlines, luxury resorts, restaurants (unless they have been around for a while) and, of course, financial and lending institutions (who are likely to go under as their borrowers slip further and further into debt).

• If you aren't familiar with the process of investing the best thing you could do for yourself to ensure the continued growth and success of your investments is find a skilled financial counselor and/or investment broker to work with. Ideally, they'll be able to look at a company's past history and their current place on the market and let you know whether or not they are a good choice for investment. Choose your broker with care, however; the last thing you want is to see your hard work and cautious planning fall apart because your broker was overly ambitious and pushed you into an investment that was doomed to failure from the very beginning.

2) Diversify. Regardless of how established a company is, there's no way to positively predict how they are going to react in the event of a recession. Your mother always told you not to put all of your eggs in a single basket, and she was absolutely right. If you can spread your investments around a bit through several companies in a variety of industries you will stand a better chance of being able to profit from this recession. Even if the bottom falls out of one and it goes under as a result of the poor economy you will have the others to fall back on and ensure that you are never left holding absolutely nothing at the end of the day.

By the way...do you want to learn exactly how to create a high income online business by meeting the needs of people in your niche through coaching, consulting, and teaching online classes?

Back to Real Estate Info

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

10 House Selling Tips

Source: CNN Money.com

It's a tough market for selling a house. Maximize your chances of a sale at a good price with these house-staging tips from an expert.

Who knew that getting rid of family photos and clearing off countertops could help you snag top dollar for your house? These are just two secrets from Debra Gould, founder of Staging Diva. Gould, a professional home stager, has helped scores of homeowners clean up, rearrange, and style their homes to command top price.

That can mean anything from putting extra books in storage to getting rid of moldy caulk in bathrooms to renting furniture to fill up too-bare spaces. "The goal is to make your home clean, organized, and welcoming so potential buyers can picture living there," says Gould. Thus the no-family-photos rule: "They make people feel like they're invading your space," she explains.

Based in Toronto, Gould has trained a network of 800+ home stagers across the U.S. "Most owners aren't seeing bidding wars the way they were a few years ago," she says. "But with the right staging, you can get close to your asking price."

Here are before-and-after photos of rooms in houses Gould has staged in the Toronto area, along with information about fees paid and sales prices.


Problem #1:
A dingy door in a blah color, plus out-of-season holiday lights, made this entry less than welcoming.

Before and After photos


Solution: Nixing the string of lights and adding black trim and a fresh coat of white paint spruces things up. Gould also swapped out the exterior sconces for larger ones that match the new color scheme

Problem #2:
Buyers could see this area of the house from the entryway. A haphazard placement of tall plants, toys, and a huge TV made it feel awkward and cluttered.

Before and After pictures:


Solution: The plants were given to a friend and the electronics and toys stored. Gould replaced them with a comfy reading chair and lamp to give this sunny spot a cozy focal point.

Monday, November 17, 2008

A Good Real Estate Agent

Are you are planning to make an investment in the real estate industry? A reliable Denver real estate agent is all you need. Buying and selling a property always comes with an added risk of incurring future loss. A right real estate agent may help you saving your hard earned money. Be very particular while opting for any such agents. Denver real estate agents are quite an expert in understanding the market trends as well as the property prices.

It is always preferable to get yourself acquainted with the market knowledge, property pricing, legal terms, legal documents, and everything which may affect your buying or selling decision. An informed decision is what you need to make while dealing with any kind of investment in real estate. It is a must to check the all of the credentials of an agent from different sources like family, friends, the company, from the market and relatives etc before you actually start dealing with him.

Agents who are certified by govt. are issued a license, so do not forget to opt for a licensed agent to avoid making any unfair deals. Agent may act as your spokesperson with attending a business deal on your behalf. Always make sure that the agent is not the disguised other party's agent. There had been incidences in past where choosing a wrong real estate agent cost the investor dearly. A good and licensed agent can do wonders for you provided you have the right sense to pick him from the lot.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Aurora's Best Real Estate Agent

If you are in the real estate market or need the help or advice of a Denver real estate agent, you should contact Denver's best agent Kim Olson. Kim specializes in Aurora real estate but services home owners and buyers in the entire Denver Metro area. Because the real estate market is so low right now, now is a good time to check out the different Aurora homes for sale.

Kim Olson is known for selling homes in Denver a lot quicker than the average Aurora real estate agent. She typically can find a home buyer in under 3 months, so if selling your Aurora home is a necessity you might want to consider talking with Kim about your Aurora home for sale.

If you are interested in speaking with Kim Olson about Aurora property for sale or selling your home in denver, check ot her helpful Denver real estate website at www.thedenversource.com or you can call her at (303) 917-6402

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Why Every Real Estate Agent Needs A Website

The field of real estate is continuously growing in popularity and in notability. Therefore it has become mandatory that any respectful agent has his own personalized website. A real estate agent website can bring numerous advantages to the owner, especially in the cases of international estate agencies, dealing with property marketing all over the world. However, reale state marketing is after all beneficial for any company, irrespective of its size or history on the market.

There are several real estate web design companies on the market; it is important that the company offers a great variety of web design businesses and online marketing tools that you will need to boost your business. However, it would be advisable to choose the company that could also help your further marketing work, as once built, the website needs to get a considerable ranking on search engines. As a matter of fact, this is pretty important as the more professional the work of the company is, the better the results of the business are and so the reciprocal advantage that we mentioned earlier-web designer-aurora real estate company-- is being activated again. So Aurora real estate marketing is equally important as the building of the website itself. Once you have your estate agent website built be sure it is in expert "marketing" hands. So if we were to give a precise answer to the question of "why a real estate agent needs a website" we would definitely bear in mind the numerous and valuable advantages offered by a real estate website design or by a mortgage website design:
  • many visitors-potential clients,
  • popularity on your market sector
  • website traffic-which will result in greater page rankings
  • Your 24/7 lead generating machine
  • It works for you even when you are out with your clients.
  • Added revenue generating options - through 3rd party ads on your website (example" home inspectors, mortgage agents, appraisers etc.)

Friday, October 17, 2008

Its Time to Buy Your Next Home

Calling all Aurora real estate home buyers looking for a "smokin' deal" ! Over the last couple of weeks, our team has been showing homes in the Murphy Creek neighborhood. Do to hard economic times for home owners in this area there are over 49 homes for sale, many below market value. There are several homes in short sale or foreclosure, which makes this the perfect time for buyers to consider making their move. Located just 6 miles from Southlands Mall, 7 minutes from E-470, 17 minutes from DIA, 20 minutes from DTC and 20 minutes from Downtown, the area is perfect for families working all over Denver.

Most of the homes on the market in Murphy Creek, Aurora Colorado were built after 2003 and can be bought for $94.00 to $175.00 a square foot depending on their finishes. We have found that some of the nicest properties have over 3,000 square feet of living space and are priced around $101.00 a s/f. One in particular is loaded with upgrades including stamped patios, cherry cabinets, 3 car heated garage & patios facing the golf course.

The golf course this neighborhood was built around is city owned and open to the public, which gives the residence a sense of living in a Country Club Community without the huge membership fees. In fact, the HOA in this area is around $45.00 per month and includes snow removal of the streets. Also provided by the Home Owners Association are tennis courts, a pool and Country Club Restaurant.

If your not intrigued yet, our sources have revealed to us that a new High School and Community College will be built in conjunction with one another by the year 2010. This will provide the opportunity for students attending the High School to conveniently receive college credits prior to graduation.

Here is a sample of what you will find for sale in Murphy Creek, Aurora Colorado 80018.

  1. 2,960 Square Feet
    Two Story Home
    3 Car Heated Garage
    4 Bedrooms
    3 Bathrooms
    1,014 s/f Open Basement
    Short Sale
    Located on Golf Course
    Cherry Cabinets
    Hardwood Floors
    Price $299,900
  2. 2,505 Square Feet
    Two Story Home
    2 Car Garage
    3 Bedroom
    3 Bathrooms
    1,281 s/f Open Basement
    Lender Owned
    Granite Countertops
    Master Suite w/Fireplace
    Needs Some Work
    Price $236,900
  3. 2,498 Square Feet
    Two Story Home
    2 Car Garage
    4 Bedrooms
    3 Bathrooms
    1,105 s/f Open Basement
    Possible Short Sale
    Situated on Cul de Sac
    Hardwood Floors
    Washer/Dryer Included
    Price $225,000
  4. 3,174 Square Feet
    Two Story Home
    3 Car Garage
    4 Bedrooms
    3 Bathrooms
    1,439 s/f Open Basement
    Short Sale
    Gas Log Fireplace
    Built-in Entertainment Area
    Gourmet Kitchen w/Granite
    Price $279,000


    Are you still not sold on considering these properties? All of these prices could be open for negotiation, if you have patience enough to wait on the Lenders response. Most of these homes have been on the Metro Denver real estate market for over 600 days, which translates to "motivated sellers". Do you want to know more? Call Kim Olson's Team at 303.917.6402, they is doing weekly showings of these homes for Colorado home buyers that know a GREAT DEAL when they see it!

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Staging your Denver Home Correctly

So, your house is on the market, and once again the figures have just been released showing that prices are down... down... down - but don't go down with them. Instead, get active and bring yourself up, up, up by doing something practical and truly helpful in the marketing process: home-staging. No, I mean really home staging not a half hearted attempt!

It is bad luck if you have to sell your house now, when figures have dropped another couple of percentage points, but there are others out there who are also on the move and want to buy your house - if their attention is drawn to it. According to the National Association of Realtors, the prices are reported to show a national average of being 15.5% lower than this time last year. However, your area may be above or below this, so take your realtor's advice about a realistic asking price. He or she will also have some tips for home-staging but these will get you going.
How to get your home noticed - that is the first key to selling it so the home staging must start on the exterior; more on that later. The second key is the viewing and this is where the home staging really comes into play. Prospective home buyers want to enter your home and see it looking like a show-home for a new housing development. In other words, it has no clutter and no personal affects showing; this way they can imagine their own effects in the home and begin to picture themselves in it.

The large photograph of Fido above the fireplace will be a hindrance, not an asset. Perhaps they are allergic to dogs and it will invoke a bad memory - get rid of it! And while you are in the living room, take away the CDs, the books, the ornaments, the rattan waste bin, the cat's toys, the magazines under the coffee table, the grand-daughter's photo, the crochet behind the armchair, the ash tray, the spare rug and all those plants catching the sun on the window sill!

If you are still reading at this point..... then here's some more expert advice: hire a storage for $20 a month and pre-pack some boxes prior to moving. Most of us could fill one box with our kids school paintings and fridge magnets! The fridge, the counter tops and the kitchen floor must all be bare! Bare is what house buyers want to see- it makes a kitchen look big and spacious and as if they could concoct a cordon bleu meal in it.

The first thing that anyone will notice when entering a home is ...smell. Be sure it is fresh and clean and pleasant. Use a plug-in air freshener; if you have a pet use two or three plug-ins! Also fling open the windows for real fresh air, and try the corny old trick of buns or cookies baking in the oven. It is sometimes the case that stoves and furnaces give off a smell of smoke when they are first lit, if so - do not use them; instead turn on the central heating. Thoroughly clean the furnace and sparkle it with a special fire black product from the local stove store.

Light is a bonus in a home so clean all your windows, and your lampshades and try putting a higher wattage bulb in all your light fixtures, especially the hallways. For a cozy ambience, put a pink bulb in one or two living room lamps, but ensure that this gives a warm atmosphere and not just a dim room.

Bedrooms must be treated in the same way, at least the master bedroom anyway. Every day put all the shampoo bottles, creams, toothbrushes and used towels out of sight. Strive daily for the clutter-free look, bare bath tub edges and bare counter-top surfaces. If you can possibly manage it, a new coat of paint has been said to increase the value of a home by 700% of the price of the paint job! Obviously that clean untouched look counts for a lot with a prospective buyer.
Finally, the exterior: yes, yes, you know the routine - everything out of sight: bikes, skates, garbage bins, recycle cans and even the car as it hides the nice view of your garage. A good realtor knows to take the photo when the sun is shining on the house, and to take the interior photos when the sun shines into the rooms, many people love sunshine in the home. Buy a few potted plants and place one each side of the front door. Group a few in the front yard.

Trim your lawn so that it is short and keep it green, also 'edge' the paths into nice, defined lines that will photograph well. Ensure that your drapes are tidy in the photographs. Hose down the paths if they are pretty cobblestones to make their color notice more in the photo. Now, sit back and prepare for the rush.

The Denver Source is a prominent name in Denver real estate, with agents specializing in working with both buyers and sellers of Aurora real estate throughout the Denver area. Visit www.thedenversource.com for details about their services, property listings, and information about finding beautiful Aurora real estate.

How to Sell Your Denver Home FSBO

Did you get that big job promotion in another city or state? Ready for a change of scenery, or unhappy with your current living arrangement? Relocating can sometimes be a stressful situation, especially if your family is involved. The big question here is "How do you sell your FSBO home quickly and for top dollar?"

Determining the correct sales price range for your Denver home is imperative, but there are also many other things to factor in during a relocation situation. The first major factor is time. How much time do you have to sell your property? If you just received that dream job promotion in another state, you may only have three months or less to get the home sold and all your furniture moved out. In the Denver real estate sales process this is a fairly quick turnaround time! In situations such as these your best bet is to set the sales price of your property lower than current price range you received in the comparable market analysis (CMA). When dealing with potential buyer's price is ultimately one of the most driving factors behind their purchasing decision. Listing your home below market value will help it sell faster...and buyers know the market because they dictate it!

The second major factor to consider is property condition. Is your Denver property brand new or are there updates that need to be made? Try to make a decent comparison between your house and others in the area that is currently for sale. If your house is in much better condition then you should be able to ask top dollar for it, if not then make any necessary repairs or market the property as a 'fixer upper'. If you do market the home as a fixer upper then make sure to price it to sell as a fixer upper (in general a fixer upper means a deal to a buyer because they will get the home for less even though there are several repairs to be made). If you need a good idea of what repairs need to be made you can always hire a certified/insured property inspector.

The last major factor to consider is sales price negotiation. In many real estate markets it's very common for buyers to offer you anywhere between 1 to 6 percent below your listing price. How do you offset this? For example, let's say you had a CMA performed and the fair market value of your home is determined to be $200,000. It is recommended that you list the home just a little above this number, around $202,999 or $204,999. Doing so will offset buyer offers and counter offers! Not only will if offset the offers and counter offers but by listing the home with $999 tacked on to the end it makes the buyers feel like they are still getting a deal under that thousand dollar range. Again, this strategy is dictated by the market so know the current real estate market in your area. If the market is strong then you can probably list it high because buyers know it will sell, if the market is low put your best price up first as it will only save you time and money.

For more FSBO tips and tricks please visit: http://www.fsbometrodenver.com

Monday, October 6, 2008

Buying an Aurora Home - Making the Right Offer

Written by L Lynch

Finding the Aurora home of your dreams is something most people try to attain. In order to accomplish this goal it is advisable to hire a licensed real estate agent who is familiar with the area in which you want to live. A realtor can help you look through neighborhoods and narrow down houses to find a short list of potential homes that may suit your needs and budget. Considering your budget, before narrowing down your list of potential matches, it is highly recommended that you get preapproved for a loan with a lending institution. This way, you will know exactly what you can and can not afford which will help with the negotiation process.

So, after you know exactly how much you can spend on a Denver home and have looked through potential matches you can narrow your selection to the one you want. It is now time to make an offer on the home. This can be one of the most important steps in the home buying process and sometimes the most stressful. But it sets the groundwork for negotiation and your Aurora realtor should be able to assist you greatly during this process.

Remember that most people are invested in their Denver home both financially and emotionally so if you really want that particular house it would bode well not to insult the current homeowner. The easiest way to do this is to sorely undervalue the property and come up with an offer that is significantly below the asking price or to have a laundry list of conditions for the sale. Instead, consult with your realtor to get an idea of a fair market value based on current market conditions, comparable sales in the neighborhood and the condition of the home. You should have an idea of the low, median and high prices for the Aurora home and have a clear idea of how high you would be willing to go while remaining fair to both parties.

Once you have the data you need, you can submit an offer. The offer should be fair enough that the homeowner would not feel slighted and would seriously consider it. Expect, however, for the homeowner to either outright reject the offer or come back with a counter offer that is higher. Most homeowners are motivated enough to sell that they will counter rather than outright reject an offer, though. Your Denver realtor can assist you in negotiating until both parties have reached an agreement for the price of the home and conditions of sale. Once this is done, you will need to carefully read and understand all contracts for purchase before signing.

Kim Olson is an experience Denver Real Estate Agent and area expert. For question regarding the Denver Metro or the surrounding area please contact her at 720-870-0307.

Is This the Time to Buy Real Estate?

Written by Nancy Evans

Ask ten people this question and you'll likely get ten different answers. The real question is, are YOU ready to become a homeowner or a landlord?

It's really a question of affordability and the responsibilities that are a "side effect" of owning a home or becoming a landlord. Let's take a quick look at the cost of home ownership.

Please don't confuse cost with price. The amount of money you and the seller agree upon has very little to do with the ongoing costs of home ownership. The monthly and annual expenses that you take on (knowingly or unknowingly) are what we'll address here.

First, your mortgage payment. Included in this amount is the principal and interest on your loan amount. Most likely it also includes a portion that goes to cover PMI or Private Mortgage Insurance. This protects your lender--NOT YOU--should you default on your loan. This is NOT optional; it is a requirement for financing if you put less than 20% down.

Your monthly mortgage payment may or may not automatically include an amount to be set aside to pay your real estate taxes and homeowners insurance when they come due. I've seen too many people get into trouble because they assumed their taxes and insurance were included in their payment when they were not. Make sure you check and double check that the loan officer is quoting you the complete payment, not just the portion for principal and interest. If they are not included or cannot be included (some lenders refuse to escrow), make sure to set up your own budget so you have the money to pay them when they come due.

Being a homeowner comes with other expected and unexpected (to some) bills as well. You will need to pay for water, sewer and trash. These are usually collected quarterly by your city or town. In some locations, trash pickup is included in your real estate taxes.

Let's not forget heat and electric as well, since some landlords generously include this in your rent. You can obtain records of how much the previous owner paid for these utilities from the seller, the real estate agent or from the utility company. Some homes are more energy efficient than others, especially ones with newer windows and appliances.

You will also have to pay for repairs when things break--and they will, usually at the most inconvenient times. Your roof will leak in a thunderstorm, your water heater will spring a leak on a holiday weekend, or your refrigerator will die just after you went out and spent $300 on groceries. Set up and continually fund a maintenance budget so you are prepared financially to handle these events. When it comes to anything involving water, prevention is your best--and cheapest-- bet.

If you're thinking of buying a rental or investment property, you must include not only those things I mentioned but also plan to have each unit empty with no rental income for a couple months out of each year.

In short, you must be able to afford not only the mortgage payment but also the ongoing upkeep of a home or rental property. Hope for the best but plan for the worst, and you'll sleep better at night.

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Aurora Real Estate

There are many places to find information on Aurora real estate or Aurora homes for sale but there is not a better source than The Denver Source! The Denver Source is a website put together by individuals independent of the Denver real estate industry. The site features many Aurora real estate listings along with descriptions of the different neighborhoods that make up Aurora.

Some of these neighborhoods are The Blackstone Country Club, Tallyn's Reach, and Southshore. Each neighborhood has their own unique amenities and a variety of things they offer their residents. The real estate site also points out the main attractions in Aurora and has helpful links to Aurora hot spots such as movie theatres and the Southlands Mall.

This is a helpful tool for home buyers or home sellers in Aurora to either list their home or find a home for sale. Buyers can also use the real estate information on the site to decide where they would like to live in Aurora and what neighborhood fits their families needs and desires.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Where to buy and sell Broomfield Real Estate

Many people who are looking to buy or sell Denver real estate do not know about the great tools out there to help them with this process. There are two great websites out there for individuals in the Denver real estate market. These sites have helpful real estate tips, they answer real estate questions, and give great descriptions about real estate in Denver.

The first Denver real estate website is FSBO Metro Denver, a website where Denver residents can list their homes for sale for only $150 until their home sells. They also offer many pictures of your house and I've heard they are going to try and get a deal with a company that does virtual tours. This is a great service at an even better price! The company who owns the site also gives you a sign for your yard and will list your open houses on their site too! This will save Denver home sellers money on a real estate agent which really adds up when think about 3-6% on a home that goes for $300,000. That's $18,000 the home owner saves on the sale of their house. This is also a benefit for those looking to buy Denver real estate.

The second is a brand new website called The Denver Source that was put out by individuals independent from the real estate industry. They have developed a ton of factual information about real estate, different areas and hot spots in Denver for those looking to relocate. They go into some detail about school districts, local attractions, and more. The site also includes Denver real estate listings, tips for buying real estate, tips for selling real estate, foreclosure information, and much more. They have a cool forum for individuals to ask questions to a realtor, post your own real estate, and ask about others about real estate or marketing. Denver neighborhood descriptions and their history are also on the site. It is cool for people to be able to read about the neighborhood they live in or about to purchase. I also think individuals can contribute information they have on different neighborhoods being that the real estate website is put together by non real estate agents.

These two websites are great tools for those searching for Denver real estate or looking to sell their Denver home. Make sure you check them out!

Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Aurora Real Estate Guide

Dealing with Aurora real estate can be a difficult and confusing thing. Even on both sides of the spectrum, buying and selling Aurora real estate is not something you can just go out and do.

There is a helpful website that has just been developed to help peole in the Aurora - Denver area with any type of real estate question, real estate problem, and even has many real estate tips for those who are in the market to purchase real estate and sell real estate. The site was created by non real estate agents and is completely unbias. The creators wanted to help people with real estate questions. There is a forum on the real estate website where you can ask realtors questions for free about any real estate in the area, any problems or concerns you have, even ask for pointers on this site, its ok!

Another cool thing about this real estate website is they have gone into detail to describe all the different neighborhoods throughout the Denver area, including the many new developments in Aurora. Aurora real estate has become a hot commodity and is going fast. There are articles and pictures describing the hot spots, attractions, kind of real estate in the area and the neighborhood history as well.

I hope you find this article and the links I have posted useful. Use this Denver real estate website it is a great tool for those with questions or searching for some Denver neighborhood information.

Arvada Homes for Sale

There is a new website called "FSBO Metro Denver" that lists many Denver homes for sale in the Metro area including: Arvada, Broomfield, Aurora, Parker, Littleton, Englewood, Littleton, Lakewood and even Boulder. These homes are all for sale by their owner, there is no real estate agent involved which saves both the home seller and home buyer money in the long run.

The principle of the idea is to save Arvada home sellers money when they sell their home because they don't give a real estate agent 3-6% of the sale. Also when someone buys a home from someone who lists their home on the website it is generally a cheaper price because the home owner is saving money on a real estate agent.

Another nice thing about the FSBO website is the traffic they get. Every month they get somewhere between 5,000-7,500 visitors a month looking at the listings. This is a great place for people to list their homes because they will get in front of so many individuals looking at their Arvada home for sale.

I can't believe I haven't mentioned the price yet! It only costs $150 until your home sells! Thats it, no extra fee when your home sells, no filing fee, there's no nickle and diming at all! You also get a FSBO real estate sign in your yard that is included in the price! If you are trying to sell your Arvada home, you should check out this site!

Friday, September 19, 2008

Denver Real Estate Advice

Selling a property in the Denver real estate market is not that easy and needs a lot of hard work and patience. Patience in convincing people to sell your property, and if you have a convincing power then this task is just a piece of cake.

Not everyone has that kind of ability to easily convince people, especially that you are selling a property and it is somewhat stressful. Stress in a way that you may be forced to sell it in a lower price, because the longer the property is hanging in the market for sale, buyers will offer you lower price.

Before you got into that stage, you may want to have a plan and learn some strategies in selling your Denver home. Time is very important in selling a property, especially if there are lots of home sellers in your place, this can also affect your goal to sell your home in a timely manner.
You need to know how many competitors you have in a market and learn the things that they offer in selling their Denver home. This can give you an idea on how you will compete with them and get a lot of buyer. Usually you must do some make over in your home; this is an obvious things that you should consider. A clean and presentable place is what a buyer usually look for.
Try to do a little make over in your place and start it with painting your home. Make sure that it will be as attracted as it is before, so that prospected buyers will be easily attracted in considering your home. Also, it is a big help putting a big house for sale signage in front of your home. Include important details like contact number and contact person on the signage and expect some calls on your phone.

In answering phone calls, prepare yourself to give out your best in selling your home. You must put a good impression on your buyer on the phone so that they can have an interest buying your home. Ask them to have a visit and at the same time you can make some negotiation.

If those things have not helped you selling your Denver real estate property, then you need some help of an expert. A real estate agent is the right person to ask some help. They do have a lot of experience in terms of real estate. They can have list of buyers and investor that can have interest in selling your Denver real estate property.

Top 10 tips when Selling your Denver Home

By: Michael Hart


1. Get Your Home In Top Selling Condition: Clean your home to within an inch of it's life. Make necessary repairs. And de-clutter the entire house. Clutter is the #1 enemy of anyone selling a house. Invoke "The Rule of HALF". Clear off at least HALF of everything on kitchen and bath countertops. Half of all collectibles and family photos. Half of everything in closets (boxes, shoes, clothes, hats, belts). And then consider "HALF AGAIN"! Put them in storage. Next, consider removing some furniture. Most people move because they want more space. Make your home look and feel "spacious". Remember that "sparse" is better than "cluttered".

2. Set a Realistic Asking Price: The best way (and cheapest) to determine a reasonable asking price for your home is to call 3 real estate agents and ask each for a "CMA". Most Denver real estate agent will offer to do a FREE "C.M.A." for you, which is a "Comparative Market Analysis". A CMA provides information such as what other Denver homes similar to yours in size and location have sold for recently, the address of homes sold, original asking price, eventual selling price, and the number of days it was on the market before it sold. It's an invaluable tool for the by-owner seller.
3. Use Signs To Your Advantage: Signs sell more houses than anything else. Buyers see signs and follow them into neighborhoods they may otherwise have not known about. You need 3 types of signs. For Sale by Owner, Open House, and the little directional For Sale By Owner arrow signs. Put the large For sale By Owner sign out front of course. Put the Open House sign up every weekend. And the little directionals should go on every corner all the way back to the nearest main road to your house. And don't forget an "info box" for your flyers. You do have flyers, don't you? See tip #4.
4. Create a Sales Flyer That Sells: Here's what you need to put on your flyer. Asking price, Address, Directions from the nearest main road, number of bedrooms, number of full baths and half baths, schools (elementary, middle, high school), interior description noting any special features (vaulted ceilings, fireplace, etc.), exterior description noting special features (old oaks, landscaping, fenced), convenience to highways, shopping centers, malls, grocery stores, hospitals, etc. Your name, phone, and I'd suggest ... "Shown by Appointment"
5. Advertise Where Your Buyers Are Looking: Classified ads are usually a good investment. Local classifieds help get the word out to local readers as well as potential transplants who are actively seeking a home and searching for one in the "local papers" from the areas they're considering moving to. The 4 most important items that must be in the ad: Price, Location, Number of Beds and Baths, and Phone. Beyond that, if you have room, note any stand-out features such as: waterfront, on the golf course, mountain view, financing available, pool, acreage, etc., and you've got it!
6. Make Arrangements To Help Your Buyer Get Financing: This is something too often overlooked by sellers. Make arrangements with an independent mortgage broker to refer potential buyers to him/her for a FREE mortgage pre-qualification. (Don't call your local bank, or "big name mortgage" because they are limited to their own companies loan programs). A smart seller will even put "financing available" on their flyer and refer those asking about financing to the mortgage broker. Benefit to you? The mortgage broker can save you time and aggravation by telling you whether a potential buyer can or cannot qualify for a loan. And if your buyer goes through your mortgage broker, the broker can keep you "in the loop" during the mortgage process!
7. Set Up a Voice Mailbox to Take Calls When You Can't: Every phone call that comes in could be the one buyer you've been waiting for. Don't take the chance of missing any calls. When I was actively calling Denver home sellers, I was surprised by the number of Denver home sellers who didn't have voice mail or an answering machine. That means their advertising money was wasted. Don't let that happen to you. Be sure you're phone rings to an answering machine or a voice mail service. And it's always best to return calls as quickly as possible. You never know which caller will be the one who ends up buying your house.

8. Set Up Specific Times To Show Your Denver House: I don't run to the house every time I get a call from someone who says they want to see it, especially since at least 1 out of 4 won't even bother to show up! It can be frustrating to say the least. I usually tell everyone they can "see the house on Saturday from 11 am to 2 pm or on Sunday from 1 pm to 4 pm". These are my "Open House" days. Showing the Denver house only on these days helps me stay in control of my own time (and my sanity). It also has the advantage of creating somewhat of a "competition" among potential buyers that works to my favor.
9. Brush Up On Your Negotiating Skills: If you have to lower your price in negotiation, make your first price cut is the biggest, and your second price cut (if necessary) should be smaller still, so that your Denver buyer knows you've gone about as far as you're going! And keep in mind that price is not the only thing you can negotiate on. Maybe instead of dropping the price, you might offer your Denver home buyer a home warranty instead. You also will want to consider what items you intend to might include with the sale of the house. Items such as the refrigerator, washer/dryer, patio furniture, closing dates ... all can be a part of your negotiation strategy.


10. Patience Required: Don't expect a whirlwind of activity the moment you put your For Sale sign out in the yard. Sure, you may get lucky and have the perfect buyer show up at your door within just days of your sign going up, but don't bet the farm on it. It's possible that it could take several weeks, or even 3 or 4+ months if you're in a slow moving market and you're trying to get a retail price.

How to Lure in Denver Buyers

Thinking on how to convince an individual to buy your Denver home may be too challenging, especially if the person you are trying to deal with is somehow sophisticated and fashionable. Though you know that dealing with this kind of people are good payers and are able to give you good deal. But the problem is how you will convince them to choose your home in the Dever real estate market.
It may be a once in a life time opportunity if a person has given you a good deal but do have a lot of request before closing the deal. Of course you may want to lose this kind of opportunity and do everything to convince them.
Don't hesitate to ask question and know some of their request so you can check it out if you can still handle and do the request. Usually a make over is most of the important thing that you should do to make your Denver home presentable and attractive to your buyer. Repaint walls, ceilings and remove stains on the floor. You can hire an expert to do this for you so to impress your buyer. But make sure that your buyer is really ready to buy your home because it might cost you too much in making over your home and ends up hanging in the air waiting for your home to be bought.
Make a list of expenses that you will be willing to spend in making the renovation and make over. Include the expenses on the selling price of your home. Remember when a home is fully renovated it can have higher value and can be sold in higher price. Make sure that all facilities are all in good working condition, you may want to ask a master electrician to check your electrical wiring connection and make sure that there will be no problem and avoid faulty electrical wiring that can be turn out into an accident or fire.
Beautifying your garden is a good option to convince your buyer, usually sophisticated person do like to have a garden in their place. A good landscaping crew will surely help you to beautify your garden, it may sound expensive but it will surely give a good impression on your buyer. Of course these increase your selling price and add more beauty on your home.
And if in case that your prospected Denver home buyer to buy your home, for sure there are lot of Denver home buyers in the market will be attracted on your home. Don't frown your face just in case you missed some good opportunity, just think that the next person who will knock on your door will be the one who will offer you a good deal buying your Denver real eastate property.

Friday, September 12, 2008

Littleton Homes for Sale

If you are looking for Littleton homes for sale or want to sell your Littleton home you should check out the for sale by owner website" http://www.fsbometrodenver.com/ There they have a ton of Denver real estate on their listings page. They have a great concept, save home owners money when selling their home. They do not have to pay 3% on a real estate agent and only pay $150 until the house sells.

If you decide to go with FSBOMetroDenver.com to sell your house, you get on their website where 10,000 visitors view listings a month and also a sign in your yard. With this much traffic its no wonder the homes are selling so fast.

If you want to buy a Littleton home, its a good idea to check out this site. Often times you can find a home for sale cheaper there because the home owners are not paying an agent.

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Denver Homes for Sale - FSBO

If you are looking for Denver real estate or want to buy or sell your Denver home, you need to check out the FSBO Metro Denver real estate website! I happen to find it and was very impressed the the Denver homes for sale.

The concept is easy and goes like this: Instead of paying close to 6% on the sale of your house to real estate agents, you pay $150 to get your house listed on their website until your house sells! They also give you a real estate sign for your yard. Did I mention this website gets 10,000 visitors a month searching through the listings.

They have Denver homes for sale, Aurora homes for sale, Littleton homes for sale, Englewood homes for sale, Parker homes for sale, property in Broomfield and even Boulder homes for sale! These guys have taken the whole for sale by owner concept and made it more manageable and definitely more successful. This is a tool everyone in Denver tyring to buy or sell property should use! Denver real estate is hard to manage yourselft, but this tool makes it possible without a real estate agent!

Another great aspect of this website, is you generally can find homes for sale at a lower price than someone through an agent. This is because they save so much money on placing an ad and getting a sign than hiring a real estate agent. I saw many homes priced to sell simply because of this reason. If you can save 15-20 K on the sale of your home by not hiring an agent, why wouldn't you?

The website it http://www.fsbometrodenver.com/ you should definitely check it out!

Thursday, September 4, 2008

Denver Foreclosures

In the last few years, the rate of foreclosures in cities across the nation has increased significantly, particularly in Colorado. In light of this foreclosure “epidemic,” the following article provides a brief overview of the foreclosure process under Colorado law, and how homeowners who have chosen to sell their Denver home can benefit by selling as FSBO. Our goal is not to encourage people with financial trouble to sell their Denver homes (for many it is not the best solution), but rather emphasize the advantages of FSBO for those who have already made the decision. While we sincerely hope that homeowners in danger of facing foreclosure are able to keep their homes and improve their financial situations (we discuss some of the resources that are available to help people do just that), some do choose to sell their homes. For these people, FSBO provides a number of advantages over selling a home through more traditional means.

The greater Metro Denver area had a record number of foreclosure filings last year, with 39,915, a 40% increase over 2006 figures and more than four times the amount filed in 2003. Many borrowers now facing foreclosure were encouraged to take on adjustable-rate mortgages, and when interest rates rose, the loan quickly outpaced their ability to repay it. Still others are in danger of losing their homes due to nothing more than bad luck, the loss of a job, or unexpected financial obligations.

Our reason for discussing the foreclosure process is to serve as a good starting point for homeowners to begin researching their options. There have been a lot of recent efforts in Colorado to provide resources and help educate people about the many, many things they can do to avoid foreclosure. Many homeowners are in this situation due to causes largely beyond their control (as mentioned above), and avoiding foreclosure can make a big difference in a borrower’s ability to buy another house in the future. High foreclosure rates hurt everyone, so we want to help get the word out.

If you are thinking about denver real estate or selling your denver home, check out our website at www.fsbometrodenver.com and if a foreclosure looks like it will be in your future we will also help you sell your home for way less than a realtor would and nobody wants to give it to the bank. Denver homes for sale are at an all time high, we will help you sell your home fast!

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Why choose FSBOmetrodenver.com

It is obvious that we believe the FSBO route to be a great alternative But why FSBOMetroDenver.com in particular? We set out to create a service that would provide an unparalleled value to FSBO sellers and become an indispensible resource for both buyers and sellers.

We have compiled many helpful resources and information that we feel will make the Colorado FSBO seller successful. Ranging from access to professional legal advice through our network law firms to extensive guides and how-to’s all are designed to demystify the process of buying or selling a home and show how simple it really is. Please see our Resources for Sellers Directory to see what we mean.

By leaving these resources open to buyers as well, we provide the opportunity to learn more and help generate educated and informed buyers for our sellers. By promoting the idea of buyers and sellers sharing FSBO savings throughout the website, we hope to cause Denver home buyers and sellers to view each other as partners trying to strike a deal, rather than adversaries.

We believe in helping Denver homeowners exercise the freedom to sell their homes without losing so much of their investment in the process. We are committed to providing the best option for homeowners now and into the future. At FSBOMetroDenver.com, we provide solutions to the most significant challenges FSBO buyers and sellers face, at an extraordinary value.

FSBO Metro Denver

Submitted by Miles Shea (FSBO Metro Denver President)

We are the same as you, homeowners who have found the need to sell a Denver home. From our experiences as lifelong homeowners and custom home builders, buying and selling various types of properties, we know what you are going through. That is why we wish to make your experience easier and more enjoyable, and of course, more affordable.

It is discouraging to find the cost of selling a $300,000 home through traditional means to be roughly $18,000. Homeowners may see this as unavoidable, a financial hit that must be taken. However, since buying a home is the largest single investment most people make, we think the homeowners are entitled to all of the returns on the sale of this investment. After all, it was the homeowner who paid the mortgage month after month. This is why we created a low-cost service that helps Denver homeowners to be successful FSBO sellers and keep the money they’ve earned.

Our services provide solutions to the challenges both buyers and sellers face, and we have compiled resources based on those needs. FSBOMetroDenver.com offers the most affordable, convenient and comprehensive service available.

Real Estate Denver

If you are in the market to buy a home and you are looking for Denver real estate, you should check out the FSBOMetroDenver.com website. They have hundreds of homes for sale that are for sale by owner denver homes which you won't find on any other real estate agent's listings or website.

A major advantage of these Denver homes for sale is you can get them cheaper than the Denver homes for sale by agents because they are not paying nearly the comission to the agent once their homes sell. Also they do not have a professional real estate agent helping them with their negotiations so you might be able to work out a great deal. Another advantage of the FSBO Metro Denver website is its a good source for homes all across the Denver Metro area and front range. Several real estate agents only work in certain neighborhoods so their listings do not target other areas. On FSBO's website they list Denver homes for sale in several counties and you are able to search according to price or county.

If you are looking for real estate in Denver you should check out the FSBO Metro Denver homes for sale for a wide variety of properties. It is a good time to buy Denver real estate, find a good deal at www.fsbometrodenver.com

Denver Homes For Sale

When you are thinking about selling your Denver home, there are many options you can go with. The obvious is hire a Denver realtor and pay them a commision when they sell your home. They put your house on the mls and maybe their website. There are a few other options out there that people are not aware of.

You can try to sell your home by yourself, hope that people see the sign in your yard and are curious. Another option you have, which we recommend is listing your home on a Denver FSBO website. A popular way to sell your denver home is to use the FSBOMetroDenver.com website where they only charge you $150.00 to list your home on their site, post pictures and a full write up about your property. They also give you a custo sign to put in your yard to help you sell your home. The best part about the for sale by owner denver website is the number of people who are constantly checking their listings. They have a great web following and they have more website traffic than any other denver real estate website out there. Plus you only pay 150.00 until your home selss! Think of the money you save on a realtor!
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